By. M. Hasan Masood
Pakistan’s Strength — A Nation Built to Industrialize
Pakistan is naturally equipped for industrial success. With rich mineral and agricultural resources, a young population, and a strategic geographic location, the country has immense untapped potential.
Pakistan is the fifth-largest cotton producer in the world, with significant reserves of coal, salt, copper, and gypsum. Over 64 percent of the population is under the age of 30, offering a large labor force. Our location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East gives us direct access to regional trade routes.
However, despite these strengths, Pakistan’s industrial sector remains underutilized due to inefficiencies in energy use, workforce readiness, and outdated production practices. Smarter Use of Resources — the Need of the Hour
Pakistan does not necessarily need more resources; it needs to use its existing ones more wisely.
Energy Efficiency
Power shortages, high tariffs, and inconsistent supply reduce industrial productivity. The shift toward renewable energy sources like solar, along with industrial energy audits and smart grids, can reduce costs and improve output.
Skilled Workforce
Less than 15 percent of the labor force has formal technical or vocational training. Bridging this gap requires strengthening vocational education programs, building industry-academia linkages, and encouraging on-site training through apprenticeships.
Raw Materials and Waste Reduction
Industries face high losses due to inefficient use of raw materials, outdated machinery, and lack of quality control. Lean manufacturing practices, waste reduction strategies, and digital supply chain management can make production more competitive and sustainable.
Digital Transformation
While global industries move toward automation, Pakistan must accelerate digital adoption in manufacturing, quality control, and export logistics. Introducing affordable automation tools and training for small and medium enterprises can bring a significant shift.
Industrial Zones and Policy Alignment
Industrial estates and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have the potential to become hubs of growth if they are supported by reliable infrastructure, simplified regulations, and centralized facilitation. Better coordination between public institutions and private investors is critical to ensuring that these zones meet the needs of modern industry.
Conclusion
Pakistan has the raw potential to become a regional industrial leader. What we need now is a national focus on smart resource management. From energy and human capital to materials and digital capacity, improving efficiency in every area can drive sustainable growth, job creation, and export competitiveness.
As someone closely involved with Pakistan’s industrial ecosystem, I believe that our next leap forward will come not from acquiring more resources, but from managing our existing strengths more intelligently. The global economy rewards efficiency, and it is time Pakistan turns that into its competitive advantage. –
(Appeared in ER Sep 2025 – II)
